With the NBA trade deadline just three days away, for quite some time it was looking like there wouldn’t be any massive moves outside of potentially Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat. Until Sunday night happened.
In possibly the craziest trade in NBA history, the Dallas Mavericks sent Luka Doncic to the Los Angles Lakers for Anthony Davis. With the balance of the Western Conference all shook up, how does this insane deal impact the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Where does OKC fit in the Doncic, Davis deal
In regards to the trade details, the LA Lakers are set to receive Luka Doncic, Maxi Kleber, and Markieff Morris while the Dallas Mavericks will get Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a 2029 Lakers first-round pick. Moreover, the Utah Jazz obtained Jalen Hood-Schifino, a 2025 Clippers second-round pick (via Lakers), and a 2025 Mavericks second-round pick as the third team in the deal.
Such a deal has never been seen in the history of the league. A player who was seen as the face of the franchise and regarded as one of the best in the association, traded like he was just any other player. If anything, the trade proved that there are truly no “untouchables” in the NBA.
So what does this mean for the OKC Thunder? Sitting atop of the Western Conference with a record of 38-9, the Thunder are ten games ahead of the Lakers (fifth seed, 28-19) and 13.5 games ahead of Dallas (ninth seed, 26-24).
Right now, it should not make too much of an impact. With Davis and Doncic still working through some injuries, the two All-Stars still have some time until they officially take the floor for their new teams.
However, down the line, things could get scary for OKC.
So far this season, the Thunder have a record of 1-3 when facing the Mavs. That one singular win came when Luka was healthy, the three losses were Doncic-less. With Dallas retaining players like P.J. Washington, Daniel Gafford, and Dereck Lively II, they have become even more troublesome.
Adding Davis not only adds size to their already massive lineup, but the defensive prowess Davis brings is nearly second-to-none. With OKC only having Hartenstein and Holmgren as their “true” big men, the physicality and size that Dallas brings is deeply concerning. Especially with OKC not being able to find ways to beat the Mavs in the first place.
As for the Lakers, they will be less impactful towards OKC. With the team not having a reliable center and lacking good defense, OKC should have no trouble dealing with LA. Of course, the offense of LeBron James and Luka Doncic is out of this world, but with OKC having Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and others, the Lakers do not pose much of a threat at the moment.
For Thunder fans, they will be able to see Loud City take on Luka and the new look Lakers on Sunday, Apr. 6 and Tuesday, Apr. 8.
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